Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 8 - Part 2- Traffic Safety Measures and Signs for Road Works and Temporary Situations) - Operations 2009.pdf/61

 Detailed guidance on operational issues related to the installation and removal of temporary road markings and studs is given in the document "Temporary Road Markings: Working Group Findings"; see References (Appendix 3).

Where traffic crosses over the line of the hard shoulder, the red studs and the edge line should be removed on standard schemes. There is no requirement to remove the red studs throughout the length of hard shoulder running.

Ideally there should be no difference in the surface characteristics between any parts of the carriageway.

When narrow lanes are used as part of a traffic management layout, the reconfiguration of the carriageway may place the longitudinal joints or the original road stud bases within the new lanes and in some cases in line with the vehicle wheel tracks. Hence the inserts and reflectors of road studs shall always be removed. The road stud bases should also be removed if they are likely to present a hazard to motorists and the carriageway should be reinstated before introducing traffic to the narrow lane layout. If road stud bases are retained, drivers may take avoiding action and, in addition, the bases may be held to be unlawful as they are not fitted to prescribed road markings.

To avoid driver confusion, before the carriageway is remarked to the new configuration, it is essential that original road markings which are not to be retained as part of the temporary lane markings are thoroughly removed.

When temporary road markings are required which will be removed upon completion of the works, only removable marking or masking materials complying with BS 7962 for black masking materials or the appropriate European Standard for white markings shall be used.

Prior to reverting to the normal carriageway configuration, any temporary road marking should be totally removed and any road markings or road studs that have been removed should be replaced.

Other than black masking materials used to cover white markings, road markings must conform to the relevant European Standards, BS EN 1436, BS EN 1790 for preformed materials (e.g. tapes) and BS EN 1824 for road trials for materials from both standards. The physical properties of road marking materials are covered by BS EN 1871.

Black masking materials, including temporary tape and thermoplastic, are not included in the European Standards, but are specified in British Standard BS 7962. Black paint, unless it has been certified as complying with BS 7962, shall not be used as it may not provide the necessary skid resistance and low-gloss finish. It is essential that wear of the masking material should not expose the original white material below it.

The performance of road studs is specified in European Standard BS EN 1463 Parts 1 and 2. The Traffic Signs General Directions 2002 (direction 57) specify which performance classes in the European Standard must be met. It is unlawful to use a stud that is not certified to at least those minimum classes.

Temporary reflecting road studs are intended to be removed without undue damage to the road surface and the adhesive should be of the correct quality to achieve this. The manufacturer’s recommendations for installation and removal should be carefully observed.

Temporary studs are not recommended for use for periods much longer than three months and they shall not be utilised for more than one application.

Arrangements should be made to protect road studs during surface dressing operations. 59